How to get the most out of your existing wardrobe?
The crazy sale season is just around the corner, and honestly, I thought sticking to my no-buy challenge would get a bit tricky with Black Friday and the Holidays lurking around the corner. But guess what? This year, instead of creating fashion wishlists and scouring for the latest discount codes, I've started to appreciate my wardrobe and personal style even more.
In the past, I was a big fan of the Black Friday sale, and I always had a list of well-thought-out items I wanted to buy that day. Lately, though, I've been feeling overwhelmed by all this sale hype. Simply, the older I get, the less attention I pay to material things. Also, I'm just not as excited about sale fever because we're bombarded with special offers practically every day—through social media or newsletters.
Don't get me wrong—there is nothing wrong with rabat codes and sales in general, especially if we buy something that we genuinely love, and at the same time, we can save some money. But it feels like every day has turned into a "sale day" - Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, Labor Day Sale, Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, which turned into Black Week, etc. And that's where the trouble starts—as customers, we often don't even notice that we use discount codes as an excuse to buy all these things we don't need!
So, instead of focusing on what you should buy during Black Week, let's chat about how to make the most of what's already in your closet. Here are my laid-back tips for giving your wardrobe some love!
1. Appreciate what you already own.
I don't want to sound cheesy or anything like that. But that's the reality—you'll never feel good and confident about your clothes and personal style if you don't finally appreciate what you already have in your closet. I realize that it's difficult not to succumb to the pressure of following trends, especially when, practically from every side, we hear what we should add to our wardrobe for the new season and what's already passé in fashion.
I used to be all about the seasonal must-haves, but something changed when I hit my mid-30s. I still like fashion and writing about it here on my blog, but at the same time, I know that shopping for clothes and owning a huge closet filled with new, designer pieces doesn't equal happiness and confidence.
As customers, we must remember that big brands and fashion corporations will do anything to sell their products. All these trends that are changing several times a year, conscious collections (which in reality have nothing to do with sustainability), are created to make us feel miserable about our style and what we already own. But the truth is that buying new stuff all the time to feel better about yourself, lift your mood, or impress others will not make you happy. Most of us already have enough clothes, and instead of trying to be trendy, we should learn how to enjoy our personal style and appreciate the pieces we have collected over the years. So, when you think again that you have to buy something expensive to update your style or that you need to exchange your clothes for conscious collections to be 'more ethical,' remember:
Just because something costs a lot doesn't mean it's better. And before buying sustainable products, you always have an opportunity to use sustainably what you already own.
2. Plan a closet cleanout.
My second tip for you will be to plan your closet cleanout. This step does not cost more than a bit of time, and trust me—organizing your closet can be a game-changer. You'll be amazed at how much it can brighten up your mornings! By looking at all these clothes (some still with tags on) and pieces you decided to throw away, you will realize how much money you have already spent on fashion items. For me, such a closet cleanout was an eye-opening experience—I learned how to be more aware and selective while shopping for clothes next time, and again, it helped me to appreciate the clothes I already had in my closet. And that brings us to my third tip, which is:
3. Take proper care of your clothes, so they last you longer.
Keeping your wardrobe tidy and properly storing clothes will save you time while choosing the morning outfit and allow you to enjoy your clothes much longer. Read wash care labels, avoid overwashing and using the dryer, iron/steam with care, store your garments correctly, invest in quality hangers, fold heavy sweaters, learn basic repairs, and use a pilling brush or sweater comb—all these simple steps will allow you to maximize your wardrobe and avoid unnecessary shopping. Also, when you open your closet in the morning and see clean and ironed clothes sorted by category or color, there is no option for you to say - I have a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear.
4. Find new ways to style the pieces you don't wear as often.
Even if you have already built your dream wardrobe, there will always be clothes you wear more often and those you reach for only in a specific season. As you already know, in 2022, I decided on the no-buy challenge, so for the last few months, I have been trying to maximize my wardrobe by styling my seasonal pieces more often.
For example, I usually rock my denim jacket in summer, but this fall/winter, I've been layering it under oversized coats for extra warmth. So, if you want to get the most out of your wardrobe—play around with it and get creative! Before putting all your summer dresses and skirts in the back of your closet when the colder months come, try wearing them with a cozy sweater and an oversized wool coat. Put on some of your fave knee-high boots, and voilà – a fall outfit is ready.
5. Step out from the fashion rut.
I often get questions about how it is possible that such a minimal wardrobe, full of basics and neutral colors, does not bore me. When I started simplifying my closet, my biggest goal was to build a classy wardrobe filled with quality basics and casual, everyday clothing items. By focusing on timeless pieces, I ask myself how I can style them differently.
Take the classic white shirt—how many ways can you wear it? Layered, knotted, or tucked in? But what if you tried something different next time, and for example, wear it over a thin turtle neck? Stepping back from your fashion comfort zone doesn't have to mean trying new colors and patterns or buying trendy clothes. Sometimes, small steps and mixing things up can breathe new life into your favorite items!
6. The devil is in the details.
Your wardrobe isn't just about clothes, so remember accessories when styling your daily outfits. Although such small details can complete even the simplest look, I did not pay much attention to accessories for a long time. However, a lot has changed in recent years, and currently, I'm more willing to buy delicate jewelry, a silky scarf, a hair accessory, or a timeless handbag than new clothes. Thanks to this, I still keep my wardrobe simple and classic, but I can dress up my favorite pieces in a few seconds by switching the accessories for something more elegant.
7. Try styling tools.
As most of you know, I didn't start sharing my daily looks on social media to show off my great style or how fantastic my closet is. I started this blog and the 'Year of Outfits' project to prove that you don't need a closet full of trendy stuff to feel confident. I know that my style is very basic, and I completely understand that my outfits may be too simple for those who love experimenting with fashion. But what I have loved about creating my daily outfit inspirations and capsule wardrobe visuals is that I discover new ways to style my favorite clothing items each day. Thanks to this, my wardrobe has become smaller and more curated. I'm a better consumer, and instead of chasing trends or unconsciously scrolling online stores and impulsively buying, I focus on more important values in life than fashion.
However, if you're at the beginning of the journey and need help figuring out where to start, how to create mood boards or visuals with your capsule wardrobes, etc, I have an excellent solution! Try a fashion tool like Cladwell. It's a personal styling app that will help you build an intentional wardrobe and feel more confident about your unique personal style. They also have a team of personal stylists committed to making your life easier by delivering a streamlined, cohesive capsule wardrobe that matches your lifestyle and personality.
Even if you already are a fan of the capsule wardrobe concept and creating a smaller (but better) closet is no longer a challenge, you will still love this app after trying it! Personally, I love this tool because it allows me to digitally 'store' clothes from my wardrobes, helps organize seasonal capsules, and plans daily looks by suggesting outfit inspirations. It really makes the morning routine easier and stress-free! It also helps me get the most out of my closet and be more conscious while shopping for clothes because, in Cladwell, I see everything I own and how often I wear it.
Here I created my first mini capsule wardrobe in the Cladwell app - it's a collection of minimalist favorites and cozy layers for fall/early winter. You can customize my template to your personal style or create your own capsule from scratch.
8. Join a fashion challenge.
Fashion is a personal journey, and it's supposed to be fun! It's our chance to express ourselves and let our creativity shine. And that's why I love to jump into a fun fashion challenge from time to time. Styling one item in seven different outfits, a 10x10 challenge, or recreating Pinterest outfits just by 'shopping my own closet' are my favorite ways to appreciate the pieces I already have and learn something new about my signature style. So, are you ready to take out ten pieces from your wardrobe and style them differently for the next ten days? :)
And there you have it! These laid-back tips are all about helping you reconnect with what's already in your closet, embrace your unique style, and step out of a fashion rut you might be in. Remember, it's not just about what you wear, but how you wear it. So grab those favorite pieces, get creative with styling, and let your wardrobe inspire you!